We thank the Sasakawa Foundation and the World Health Organisation for their appreciation towards our endeavour in Indonesia.

For us, being part of millions of people worldwide who have lost their prime health and eye sight have taught us amazing life lessons. Indeed, having good health and being able to see are two indispensable, invaluable aspects of life. They cannot be substituted with anything else. We didn’t realize this truth when we still had them and took them for granted.

Limitations are part of life, and they exist in every country in the world. What we can do is to keep burning our zeal to survive and to thrive, and our efforts to reach the goals. Even if we have to lose to a disease, we shall concede defeat with honor because we will have done our best with all of our strength.

As Hillary Rodham Clinton said once “I can accept losing. I cannot accept quitting.”

Every gesture, every action of care from one person to another will be a source of encouragement and power to strive together in doing our best.

Goodwill for Indonesia has echnoed in the United Nations Assembly Hall in Geneva when Syamsi Dhuha Foundation/SDF from was awarded the Sasakawa Health Prize 2012 by the President of WHA’s 65th Assembly , Prof. Therese N’Dri Yoman in the presence of World Health Organization’s Director General Dr. Margaret Chan on 24 May 2012. Syamsi Dhuha Foundation was chosen to receive Sasakawa Health Prize 2012 as a form of appreciation and respect towards a Foundation that has shown ongoing commitment in trailblazing various innovation and activities that increase Government and community’s awareness towards the management of Lupus in the country.

The member countries’ delegates WHO attending the award ceremony seemed to be moved at hearts when the Founder and Chairperson of the Foundation, Ms. Dian Syarief made an acceptance speech in English from the podium of the UN Assembly Hall. Her speech revealed an inspirational message, that the efforts amde by Lupus patient to survive and thrive amidst the impacts caused by the ailment have been tough challenges, but the difficulties have made the patients to be more thankful about life. Sasakawa Awards have been presented since 1984, as an initiative of Mr. Ryoichi Sasakawa from Japan, to organisations, individuals, non-government organisation and other groups that have developed innovation in the advancement of health. Previous individuals and organisations from Indonesia that had received the award include the Community Welfare Development organisation (PKK) in 1988 and Dr. Handojo Tjandrakusuma in 1992.

The Indonesian Delegate for the UN and Other International Organisations in Geneva, the Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani, who was present and specially congratulated the co-founders of the Foundation Ms. Dian Syarief dan Mr. Eko Pratomo,expressed her appreciation towards the Syamsi Dhuha Foundation achievements – notably a form of contribution towards humanity and Indonesia’s goodwill. The honorable achievements by Dian and Eko through their Foundation have helped Indonesia’s humanitarian diplomatic initiatives in an international forum.

Established in 2003, SDF has been instrumental in advancing the management of Lupus through the Care for Lupus program, support for Lupus patients (“Odapus”), the creation of Care for Low vision program, and other community support initiatives such as medical and health facility support, educational programs, inter-religion understanding activities, and charity fundraising for the poor.

The 65th World Health Assembly also awarded a range of other health prizes to individuals and organisations from the Philippines, Turkey, New Zealand , China, dan Sudan.